- USS Baxter (APA-94)
USS "Baxter" (APA-94) was a sclass|Sumter|attack transport that served with the
US Navy duringWorld War II ."Baxter" (APA-94) was launched
19 September 1943 byGulf Shipbuilding atChickasaw, Alabama , as "Antinous" under aMaritime Commission contract, transferred to the Navy30 November 1943 ; placed in reduced commission the same day, sailed toNew York and placed out of commission for conversion atAtlantic Basin Iron Works ,Brooklyn, New York , recommissioned15 May 1944 , Captain V. R. Sinclair in command; and reported to thePacific Fleet.Operational history
World War II
Between 11 July and
7 August 1944 "Baxter" made three voyages between the west coast andPearl Harbor transporting troops and cargo.Invasion of Leyte
In August she commenced training exercises in the
Hawaiian Islands in preparation for the first assaults against thePhilippines . Between 20 October and18 November 1944 she participated in the Leyte operation, landing several hundred troops.Invasion of Luzon
"Baxter" got underway from Manus,
Admiralty Islands 31 December 1944 with troops and cargo and again steamed toward the Philippines. On9 January 1945 she unloaded her troops and equipment in the initial assault against the beaches ofLingayen Gulf ,Luzon . She departed the same day and proceeded toLeyte Gulf . On 29 January she took part in the landings atSan Felipe , Luzon, and left for Leyte the same day.Invasion of Okinawa
Early in March she embarked troops of the 7th Infantry Division and between 14 and 21 March engaged in training exercises. On 27 March she departed the Philippines for
Okinawa where she provided logistic support for the initial stages of the operation (1-6 April 1945 ). On 6 April she departed forSan Francisco arriving on the 30th.From June 1945 until February 1946 "Baxter" made six voyages between west coast ports and the islands of the
Western Pacific , and laterJapan .Decommission
On
22 March 1946 "Baxter" was decommissioned and returned to the Maritime Commission.Decorations
"Baxter" received three
battle star s for her service in World War II.Commercial service
"Baxter" was sold for commercial service in 1947 to the
Waterman Steamship Corporation ofMobile, Alabama , and renamed SSLa Salle . She was scrapped in 1968.References
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/amphib/apa94.txt USS "Baxter" (APA-94)] , DANFS Online.
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03094.htm APA-94 "Baxter"] , Navsource Online.
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